van osdel



2 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

M. E. VAN OSDEL. FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

No. 551,566. Patented 1300.17, 1895.

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I; II III ANDREW ELGRAHAM. FHOTOUTHOWASHINGTON. 0.0.

'2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. (No Model.)

E. VAN OSDEL. FOLDING BBDSTBAD.

Patented Dec. 17, 1895.

ANDREW BSHAHAM. FHOTO-LI1T1QWASMNGRIND C.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

MARY ELLA VAN OSDEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF FOUR-FIFTHS TO JOHN B. STRASBURGER AND ANNA STRASBURGER KESSLER, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551 566, dated December 17, 1895.

Application filed May 2, 1895. Serial No. 547,922. (No model.)

1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, MARY ELLA VAN Os- DEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Bedsteads, of which the following is a Specification.

My invention relates to improvements in folding bedsteads, and has for its object to simplify the construction and render more easy the operation of bedsteads of this class, to effect economy in the manufacture thereof, and to increase the ornamental appearance of the bedstead when not in use.

To these ends my invention consists in the novel feature and in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and afterward definitely pointed out in the claims following the description, due reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bedstead folded up. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bedstead, the bed-section being lowered. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an upright casing or frame constitut ing the head-board of the bedstead and is provided with upright sides 2, both the headboard and sides being rigidly fastened to a base 3. The bed-section is composed of abottom l, provided with side rails 5, a head-rail 6, and a foot-rail 7, and said bed-section when folded up fits snugly between the sides 2 of the head-board, as will more fully hereinafter appear. To the head of the bed-bottom 4:, upon the under side thereof and near each edge, are secured two supports 8 that at their outer ends are curved upon the arc of a circle having a point 9 approximately midway between the ends of the supports as a center, whereby a perfectly-straight portion 10 is provided each of said supports, for the purpose hereinafter described. To the inner or upper ends of the supports 8 is fastened a shelf 11, that when the bed-section is closed or folded I up presents the appearance of and may be that are arranged upon each side of the bedsection, and are each connected at one end to a side rail of the bed-section and at the other end to the head-board 1. Said springs may be formed in any suitable manner, such as of coiled wire or the like; but in the present instance I have shown them as consisting of rubber straps which permit the bed-section being folded up closely between the sides 2 of the head-board. To the upper outer edge of the head-rail 6 are secured suitable bearings in which is journaled a friction-roller 13, and in recesses formed in the base 3 of the head-board are journaled a series of frictionrollers 11 that are arranged directly beneath the supports 8. To the head-board 1 is secured a projecting panel 15 that is of an ornamental configuration and presents the appearance of an ornamental top to the headrail, and against the under side of which said head-rail abuts when the bed-section is folded down.

To the under side of the foot of the bedbottom 4 is hinged a rail 16, provided at its opposite ends with legs 17, which serve to support the foot of the bed-section when the latter is folded down. The bed-bottom at is also paneled, as at 18, to hold in place a mirror 19. The rear side of the head-board 1 at its opposite edges is provided with grooved cleats 20, within which may be removably held a mirror, carved or otherwise suitably ornamented panel, or, in the case of a childs bed, an amusing or instructive chart or the like, thus preventing the rear of the headboard from presenting an unsightly appearance when the latter is exposed.

WVhen the bed-section is folded up it presents the appearance of a bureau or dressingcase, and may be very conveniently used as such, the shelf 11 forming the bureau-top in the conventional position below the mirror, while the'rail 16 and legs 17 form an ornamental curved or arched molding above the mirror.

To lower the bed-section into position for I while at the same time the friction is still further reduced and the movement of the bedsection rendered more easy by the frictionroller 13 journaled in the head-rail 6, which rides up the head-board. As the bedsection is lowered the springs 12 are expanded and serve to retard the too rapid and violent descent of the section until the roller 13 has passed above the point of attachment of said springs to the head-board, when they will commence to exert their contractile force and when thebed-section has been completely lowered aid in holding the latter in its open or lowered position. As the bed-section is lowered the legs 17 swing outward by gravity into position for supporting, the foot of the section; but in the event of their not promptly swinging into operative position when the bed-section has been lowered into a horizontal position the head'rail abuts against the lower edge of the projecting panel 15 on the head-board and supports the bed-section in the proper position until the legs can be adjusted. hen the bed-section has been completely lowered its foot is supported by the legs 17 while its head is upheld by the supports 8, the straight portions 10 of which rest with a firm bearing on the base As the bed is folded up it rocks on the segmentshaped ends of the supports 8 over the rollers 11, as before described, and when the roller 13 has passed below the point of attachment of the springs 12 to the head-board said springs at once begin to contract and aid in closing the bed against the head-board, and when the bed-section has been completely folded up they act to maintain the same in its folded position.

A folding bed constructed as above described when lowered in position for use cannot be folded up by accident, no matter 110w the weight be deposited thereon, and is supported firmly and steadily. It can be opened and folded up with but slight exertion, and when folded up presents a highly-ornamental. appearance and may very conveniently be utilized as a dressing-case. The bed is capable of being made in all sizes, and owing to there being no unsightly portions that might be exposed to view may be placed in any desired position.

If desired the rounded ends of the supports 8 may be shod with metallic straps to prevent wear.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim is 1. In a folding bedstead, the combination with the head-board and its base, of a bed section provided at its foot with hinged legs and having secured to the under side of its head supports resting upon said base and having rounded ends, and contractile springs connecting said head board and bed section, substantially as described.

2. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a head board and its base, of abcd section provided at its foot with hinged legs and having secured to the under side of its head supports resting upon said base, and having rounded ends, a projecting panel secured to the head board and acting as a stop to limit the downward movement of the bed section, and con ractile springs connecting said head board and bed section, substantially as described.

3. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a head board and its base, of a bed section provided at its foot with hinged legs and having secured to the under side of its head supports resting upon said base and having rounded ends, a friction roller journaled in the upper edge of the head rail of the bed section, and contractile springs connecting said head board and bed section, substantially as described.

4. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a head board and its base, of a bed section provided at its feet with hinged legs and having secured to the under side of its head supports resting upon said base and having rounded ends, friction rollers journalcd in said base and forming a roller bearing for the rounded ends of said supports, and contractile springs connecting said head board and bed section, substantially as described.

5. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a head board and its base, of a bed section provided at its foot with hinged legs and having secured to the under side of its head supports resting upon said base and having rounded ends, a friction roller journaled in the upper edge of the head rail of the bed section, a series of friction rollers journaled in said base and forming a roller bearing for the rounded ends of said supports, and contractile springs connecting said head-board and bed section, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- IIGSSQS.

MARY ELLA VAN OSDEL. \Vitnesses JOHN B. STRASBURGER, 11. P. STRAsBUReER. 

